The Newcastle Jets’ A-League and W-League sides are hoping to reignite their fortunes after a turbulent start to the season.
With both the men’s and women’s sides languishing in last place on the ladder, the Jets will be targeting a turnaround in fortunes in the remaining games.
The men’s side received a boost with the signing of former Adelaide United and Western United striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, who said he was happy to come to the Hunter to get more minutes on the field.
“I feel like whichever player is going to do a job, the coach is going to put in, so hopefully I can do that job and get in the team,” he said.
“I feel that, if you can do a job at training, coaches will trust you, and it’s going to be an even bigger year for young players.”
The 21-year-old striker, who has scored four goals in 25 A-League games, said he was already acquainted with some of the Jets’ squad and found them to be “a good bunch of lads”.
He added that he loved the city so far and was looking forward to getting on the pitch after the transfer window opens on 16 February.
“As a striker, I’m hoping I can add some goals and assists and getting in those goal scoring areas” he said.
“I like it a lot, it’s a bit like a smaller Adelaide, but with a lot better beaches.”
Stamatelopoulos will be joined in the squad by central midfielder Syahrian Abimanyu and 29-year-old attacking midfielder Liridon Krasniqi, who both join on loan from Malaysian Premier League side Johor Darul Ta’zim II FC and Malaysian Super League Johor Darul Ta’zim FC.
In the W-League, goalkeeper Claire Coelho has had an impressive run between the posts, making a notable save in the side’s gutsy 2-0 loss to Sydney FC.
Coelho evaluated the start to the season as a “mixed bag” and believe that, despite only one victory from the opening six games, there was room for positivity.
“Even in games that we’ve lost, we’ve still had patches where we’re impressive, and stayed in the game – we haven’t been thumped or out of games,” she said.
“[Being] clinical at both ends will be our focus, and [we need to] finish our chances and always stay switched on at the back and limit the opportunities for the other team”.
The Jets men’s team tackles Melbourne City on Sunday (7 February) at McDonald Jones Stadium, whilst the W-League side travels to the garden city to face Melbourne Victory on Sunday evening.
